Health related quality of life among oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients: An exploratory study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES\nTo comprehensively explore the effect of several sociodemographic, patient and tumour related factors on the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients.\n\n\nMETHODOLOGY\nPatients diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancers were included in the present cross-sectional study. Information pertaining to various sociodemographic, patient and tumour related factors were recorded. HRQoL was assessed using standard 12-item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF12V2) and Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) was assessed by Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP).\n\n\nRESULTS\nA total of 108 patients participated in the present study. Results revealed that nodal metastasis, histological differentiation and pain were significant predictors of OHRQoL; while site, size, stage, histological differentiation and pain were significant predictors of HRQoL. Pain was the single most significant negative determinant of HRQoL that was associated with worst total OHIP (B=2.01, β=0.45, p<0.0001), physical (B=-0.88, β=-0.21, p=0.017) and mental (B=-1.00, β=-0.22, p=0.016) component summary scores.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nNumber of sociodemographic, patient and tumour related factors emerged as significant predictors of HRQoL and OHRQoL. Study results might help in formulating targeted treatment plan, optimise patient care and follow up.